Rinku Singh

Rinku Khanchand Singh, born on October 12, 1997, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, overcame significant financial challenges in his early life. His father worked as an LPG gas cylinder delivery man, and the family resided in a modest two-room accommodation. Despite initial parental reservations about his cricketing aspirations, Singh’s talent and dedication eventually earned him their support. His mother, Bina Devi, maintained their home, providing stability during difficult times. This background has shaped him into a grounded individual, with a strong emphasis on family.

Singh’s cricketing career began in domestic circuits, representing Uttar Pradesh at the under-16, under-19, and under-23 levels. He debuted in List A cricket on March 5, 2014, for Uttar Pradesh, where he was the top scorer with 83 runs. His first-class debut followed on November 5, 2016, in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy. A significant milestone in his domestic career was becoming the leading run-scorer for Uttar Pradesh in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy, accumulating 953 runs across ten matches. His performances led to his selection in the Indian Premier League.

In franchise cricket, Singh was initially acquired by Kings XI Punjab in 2017. He then moved to the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018 for ₹8 million (equivalent to ₹11 million or US$110,000 in 2023). A notable moment in his IPL career occurred on April 9, 2023, when he scored 29 runs, including five sixes, in the final over against Gujarat Titans, marking the highest number of runs scored in the last over to win a match in tournament history. Internationally, Singh made his T20I debut on August 18, 2023, against Ireland, and his ODI debut on December 19, 2023, against South Africa. He was part of the Indian squad that won the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games, the 2026 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 Asia Cup. In June 2025, he was appointed as an officer in the state education department under the sports quota.